Everyone wants to get a 4.0 GPA, but most of them think that getting good grades requires extra hard work. For a high school student or a college student, working hard is the best way to get an "A." But fortunately, there are strategies that can help increase value without putting too much effort into it.
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Method 1 of 4: Strategies for Getting Better Grades
Step 1. Have a strategy
Get ready from now on so you don't have to work hard to get out of trouble later on. Resolve to have a strong foundation in all classes during the first weeks, and don't spend too much time on just one class. Keep your grades between B+ or A-. Then, if you have low grades in some classes, start increasing those grades.
Engage in all additional course activities whenever possible, and work your way up to at least near A+ so that for the last few weeks you can focus on projects. Maybe you can also ignore some homework if your score is already very high
Step 2. Understand the on-campus assessment rules
Find out how your college calculates your GPA, if there are additional grades for certain classes, what grades appear on your transcript, what percentage for each grade, and find out what could affect your final grade. Grades are a game played by all students, and the more you know the rules, the better you will be at playing them.
Step 3. Prioritize the first weeks of college
First impressions are very important to lecturers, so make sure they have a good reason to get to know you.
If your first-year professors think that you are polite, respectful, and hardworking, they will be nicer to you and will rate your work more easily. Remember that making a good first impression is easier than fixing a bad first impression
Step 4. Ask and answer the teacher's questions voluntarily
You may have to learn the art of faking intelligence and readiness. It's easier to look smart and prepared than it is to be really smart and prepared. Try to remember something that you think relates to the topic at hand. Usually, the teacher will say something about how good your answer is and give hints for the answer they want.
- This method has two benefits. First, the lecturer will assume that you pay attention to the class, and second, they will assume that you are able to think independently and it will be easier for them to assess your paper later.
- Lecturers like participating students, and will sometimes give them more marks. Assessment is not always rigid and according to the rules, lecturers can manipulate F scores to A or even vice versa, and although the changes are rarely that drastic, they can all help.
Step 5. Don't be afraid to cooperate or ask for help
Ask your teacher, parent, or classmate to explain something you don't understand. It's easier to ask questions than trying to find the answers on your own which sometimes takes more time.
Come before class starts to ask for help. If the teacher offers to help outside class hours, accept it. Even if you struggle with the material taught in class, if you show that you are working hard, it is likely that the lecturer will give you good grades
Step 6. Identify busy tasks
To understand it better, you have to think like a lecturer. They are human too. They are just as busy off campus as you are, even busier. Keep in mind that for each page of assignments you work on, the teacher must rate it, and since professors may have more than 100 students, there will be a lot of work for them to check. There was no way they would judge everything in depth. If you follow the two steps above, the lecturer will trust you and won't judge your assignment in too much detail. You can be sure whether a task is busy or not if:
- Assignments are given in the form of worksheets.
- You see the lecturer assesses the tasks in question in less than a minute.
Step 7. Get organized and use your time effectively
Make a schedule of the tasks you need to do in your mind as well as on your calendar. Don't go past the deadline because being late for an assignment can reduce your grade. Don't lose grades just for not being able to complete assignments on time.
Perform busy tasks efficiently. The time spent on busy assignments should be proportionate to the time the lecturer spends grading them! If there is an article with a question, usually the answers can be found sequentially in the article. Read each question and then skim through the related articles to find answers. For opinion questions, you don't need to think too much in answering them. Make up something that sounds good. Many students are already able to handle busy tasks, but others need a lot of practice. When you can handle it, you will have more time for other activities
Step 8. Change your handwriting
You don't have to do this, but it will dramatically reduce the workload. Try a writing style that is easy to read but fast. Lecturers don't judge assignments based on writing style and writing neatly takes up more time, especially for busy assignments.
Step 9. Consider taking challenging classes if possible
It may seem counterintuitive if you try to get good grades easily, but learning to get good grades in difficult classes will teach you how to excel in easier ones.
A tough schedule will look good for a college admission application, and after a while you will enjoy the challenge. Keep in mind that the strategies above can work in any class, including difficult ones
Method 2 of 4: Doing Homework and Writing Papers
Step 1. Watch the lesson
While texting or sleeping in class is tempting, especially during class, don't do it. There are two benefits to avoiding these two activities: First, you reduce your study time at home to study the material from scratch. Second, you will do well on the exam because you know exactly what the teacher expects you to know. Paying attention to the lesson is key.
Step 2. Be active in taking notes
When you write, think about what the lecturer said and write it in your own language. If you can, think of something funny that will help you remember the lesson (mnemonics).
Step 3. Do your homework
Homework will really help add to the value you get. This doesn't mean that you need to spend hours every night, try to make the most of the time after class.
- Do one task first. The first thing you should do is the worksheet task because it is the one that takes up the least amount of time. Then, work on divided tasks such as math assignments. Do it in your spare time after class is over.
- Get rid of distractions. When you don't want to do a task but you have to do it, get rid of distractions that can distract you. Turn off the TV. Place the phone out of reach. Don't access social media. Lock yourself in one room.
Step 4. Prioritize the tasks that you need to do based on how detailed the lecturer concerned assesses the assignments given
Do assignments that you know will be read in depth first, and do them well so you can build trust with the lecturers concerned. Then, work on tasks that won't be judged in too much detail and don't worry too much about quality; just make sure the task you do is appropriate and looks long and detailed. If you run out of time to do some tasks that are not so important, do them all quickly and make sure they are done to completion. Lecturers appreciate the efforts of their students and will appreciate those who do the work. And the easiest way to get an A is to please the teacher.
Step 5. Know how to write a term paper
Divide the tasks that need to be done to complete a paper. Read the tasks as requested. Do the necessary research. Write down the main points of the paper. Write detailed papers, and edit them to improve them.
- Start writing. Don't spend too much time thinking about what you're going to write. Enter the results of the writings that you have made before to save time. If you write a long enough paper, there is a chance that the lecturer will only read half of it. Then you have two choices: make a short and good paper, or make a very long paper with a few mistakes. After a few tries, you'll realize how easy and fast it is to write the perfect paper using material you've written before.
- Use synonyms to avoid repetition, and use a variety of sentence structures.
Method 3 of 4: Study for Exams
Step 1. Don't study until the task is complete
Even if you're stressed about exams, think about the difference between studying and doing assignments.
- Use assignments as an effort to study for exams. Usually, the important points used in the exam have been discussed in the assignment.
- When the lecturer gives an assignment, he also determines the value for the assignment. If you do it, you will get the grade of the assignment, if not, you will lose the grade. Lecturers don't give you marks for studying, but for the exams you take. If the exam is difficult, no matter how hard you study, you will still get a bad grade. Then, you will need the value of the assignment.
Step 2. Learn from time to time
Don't memorize! The brain will retain information better if you remember it gradually. Memorizing only helps in the short term. If you want to remember for a long time, you better learn from time to time.
Step 3. Don't cheat
The risk is greater than the gain.
Step 4. Calm down before the test
Calm yourself like with a short sleep, light exercise, listening to music, etc. Don't panic before the exam starts. You will lose concentration. Even if you don't have time to study at all, if you pay attention during class, chances are that you will do well on the exam. If you are too stressed, you will forget a lot of things and end up getting worse grades.
Step 5. Eat peppermint during the exam
Research shows that peppermint can help improve memory and memory.
Method 4 of 4: Build A Winner's Lifestyle
Step 1. Find ways to motivate yourself
Take time to have fun after you've done all the assignments, got a good mark on a test, or when you've written an amazing paper. If you have the motivation to study, you can concentrate better.
Step 2. Good breakfast
If you're not hungry when the activity starts, you'll concentrate better in class and on assignments.
Step 3. Get enough rest
Staying up late to watch TV, play games, or just make a phone call is tempting, but lack of sleep can affect your ability to succeed.
Step 4. Take simple steps to avoid missing lessons, such as by:
- Conduct annual health checks.
- Get a flu shot.
- Have another alternative to go to campus if you miss the bus or there is a problem with the vehicle you usually use.
